Both Welsh Draft Ponies and Welsh Cobs
originated in hills and valleys of Wales. The pony, smaller than
the cob, was often used hauling coal from Welsch coal mines and logs
from the forest. The larger cob often helped farm the land and
transport goods.

The Welsh ponies and cobs pre-existed the Romans in Wales and lived and
were bred in sparse and rigorous conditions resulting in today's hardy
animals. They are known for their remarkable soundness of body,
endurance, and intelligence.

The Welsh ponies and cobs survived, in hiding,
an edict of Henry VII that all horses under 15 hands be
destroyed.

The Welsh pony is adaptable, loves people,
responds
well to proper treatment and discipline and has the spirit
and endurance to rise to challenges. He is unperturbed by the
various climates in North America.

The Welsh pony carries a trace of Arabian blood. He may
be any color: black, gray, bay, roan,
cream, or chestnut. He can never be piebald or skewbald.

Welsh ponies were imported by American
breeders as early as the
1889s. George E. Brown of Aurora, Illinois, appears to have been
one of the first real Welsh enthusiasts, importing a large number
of animals between 1884 and 1910. Principally through his efforts
and those of John Alexander, The Welsh Pony & Cob (the word
"Cob" was dropped in 1946) Society of America was formed
and certification for the establishment of a breed registry was
issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on July 30, 1907.

The Welsh Cob, shares all these
characteristics of the pony, excepting that he is generally over 15
hands tall.

He crosses especially well with the
Thoroughbred to produce hunters,
jumpers and event horses or with the Arab to get a riding pony
with more bone and substance. At one time cob mares were in great
demand as the foundation for Polo Ponies to obtain the agility
and nimbleness necessary.

Any color is allowed - except piebald or
skewbald. Chestnut,
bay, brown and black are most usual. Greys are rare, but there
are a number of duns, palominos and creams.

The Welsh Cob is beyond doubt the most
versatile of animals in
existence and long ago established a reputation as the best ride
and drive animal in the world.